Port of Portland executive director Bill Wyatt returned from China with an ultimatum from Hanjin Shipping Co. that union workers must speed up work on the docks.

"I'm bringing the message back from the carriers that productivity is the only issue that prevents them from continuing service in Portland,” said Wyatt, in a direct challenge to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

Therefore Wyatt said he wants to enter negotiations with the union to speed up loading and unloading ships at the Port’s container terminal. Failing that, he says, Hanjin will proceed with its plan announced in October to stop calling on Portland in January, ditching Northwest exporters and importers.